AWI fails to mention mulesing in strategic plan

The wool industry’s research, development and marketing body has failed to mention mulesing in its strategic plan despite the ire the practise causes.

Australian Wool Innovation’s new three-year strategic plan has failed to mention the word mulesing once.

The plan, released last week, outlines the challenges and opportunities for wool, but never directly references mulesing. That’s despite growing consumer backlash against the controversial sheep farming practice and premiums of up to 300c/kg in the marketplace this season for wool that is certified non-mulesed.

WoolProducers Australia president Ed Storey, from Yass, NSW.

The AWI Strategic Plan 2022-25 document focuses on four key pillars including increasing the gross value of wool, increasing the size of the national flock, working with environmental issues and purchase trends. But a direct approach and detailed information on mulesing is not one of them.

In contrast, there are 10 mentions and detailed information in a dedicated section on wool harvesting which highlights specific initiatives the organisation is taking in this area.

Victorian wool grower Ben Duxson said mulesing was likely omitted from the strategic plan because it was “too political”. The Australian wool industry made a commitment in 2005 to phase out mulesing — which involves the removal of skin from the rear of a sheep in an attempt to ward off flystrike — by 2010. It abandoned the deadline in 2009, citing a lack clear alternatives.

“At this stage, AWI has shown no leadership on the issue, and you would think they would detail what they are doing about mulesing in their strategic plan,” Mr Duxson said.

“Perhaps they think it is too hard and don’t want to put another deadline on ending mulesing.

“We stopped mulesing 22 years ago and I’m surprised there are still workshops being run about how to do it.”

Wool Producers Australia president Ed Storey said a large number of brands wanted to buy non-mulesed wool and the industry was moving in this direction regardless of what AWI did.

Mr Storey said “some people” would have the view mulesing should be specifically mentioned in the strategic document, but he said the industry was already moving significantly away from the practice.

“If AWI don’t extend enough or do research in terms of breech strike, then they will be less and less relevant to the industry,” Mr Storey said.

A spokesman for Australian Wool Innovation said the strategic plan “informs and progresses our research programs over the next three years including flystrike management as a component of promoting wool as a sustainable fibre of choice”.

“Mulesing is addressed in our operating plan 2022/23 which was published alongside the strategic plan.”